Capital pipes up with own concert to remember

Organisers hope the Remembrance event will become an annual fixture as Edinburgh’s equivalent of the Royal Albert Hall Festival of Remembrance in London.

Co-organiser Commander Euan Fairbairn RD, a retired Royal Naval Reserve officer, said: “There’s a big feeling that we should be doing something in the capital of Scotland in parallel with what’s happening in London, because that’s 400 miles away.

“It’s going to be similar in format to the one in London, where it will have an opening fanfare and then we’ll march on standards of different organisations, the British Legion, the Paratroopers, and so on. About 30 standards will be marched on and they’ll go up into the organ gallery.”

Proceeds from the evening will go towards Poppy Scotland’s work to support military veterans.

Organised by Commander Fairbairn and retired Royal Marines Reserve officer, Captain William Phillips RD, the pair are building on the success of a concert they arranged at the Queen’s Hall a year ago to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The Usher Hall’s Concert of Remembrance will tie in with the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the British Legion in Scotland.

Its opening will be followed by the arrival of buglers from 3 Rifles, marching into the promenade area at the front of the hall.

They will be followed by pipers and the Edinburgh Tattoo Highland Ceilidh Dancers. The New Phoenix Band will also perform, and the Usher Hall organ will be played. The second half of the event will feature a performance by the Jubilo Choir

Mr Fairbairn said: “We’re doing it particularly with a view to raising awareness of the services among the population and the results of ongoing wars that never seem to end that we keep getting involved in. I think it’s a good thing for people to think once a year, if not more, about what we owe to these people.”

Tickets for the concert on November 5 are available from the Usher Hall.